UFC on FX 4 Preview: Maynard vs. Guida

UFC on FX 4 will be taking place this Friday evening in Atlantic City, NJ, and unlike UFC 147, this card is stacked. Here’s what we have to look forward to.

Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida

The hyper Clay Guida, who’s coming off of a loss to Ben Henderson at UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos, will be giving Gray Maynard the opportunity to fight someone other than Frankie Edgar. (Maynard lost to Edgar in their last bout on October 8 at UFC 137, after fighting him to a split draw at UFC 125.)

Both Guida and Maynard have wrestling backgrounds, though Maynard’s is more extensive as a three time NCAA Division I All-American. Maynard, who trains at the American Kickboxing Academy, likely has the edge in the stand-up game as well. However, Guida is best known for maintaining an absolutely relentless pace. This will be a very energetic, fast-paced bout. Unless Guida beats the odds and pulls off an early submission, expect this one to go the distance.

Spencer Fisher vs. Sam Stout

This fight is actually a rubber match. Fisher accepted at the last minute as a late replacement for Kenny Florian at UFC 58 in March 2006. Although Fisher landed the harder strikes, Stout won the bout by a controversial split decision. The rematch was the main event at a UFC Fight Night 10 in June 2007, and though both men took huge amounts of punishment in what is considered one of the UFC’s 100 greatest fights, Stout walked away with the unanimous decision victory.

Spencer Fisher has lost 4 out of his last 5 bouts, and although Stout is coming off a loss as well, he’s also developed some brutal knockout power over the past 5 years. Fisher needs a win, period, so expect a back-and-forth war for this one.

Brian Ebersole vs. TJ Waldburger

With 65 professional bouts under his belt, it’s hard to believe that the eccentric Brian Ebersole has only had three fights in the UFC. He was in the spotlight right away, with his unconventional chest hair artwork and cartwheel kicks. Ebersole’s riding a 10-fight winning streak, with wins over Chris Lytle and Claude Patrick. Ebersole is also sole recipient of UFC President Dana White’s “Getting those horrifying shorts off TV as soon as possible” bonus, which he received after defeating the Speedo-wearing Dennis Hallmann via 1st round TKO. Ebersole is an NCAA D1 wrestler with heavy hands and good submissions of his own, but his submission defense is a bit of a weak area.

A brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, TJ Waldburger holds a 15-6 professional record with 12 of his wins coming by way of decision. He last defeated Mike Stumpf via triangle choke and Jake Hecht by armbar, both in the first round. Waldburger does not have quiet as much experience as Ebersole (he’s only 24), but his dangerous submissions are something Ebersole needs to watch out for.

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Ross Pearson vs. Cub Swanson

Ross Pearson made his featherweight debut in his last bout against Junior Assunção, and picked up a unanimous decision victory. The Ultimate Fighter 9 winner holds a brown belt in Judo and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Standing in his way will be Cub Swanson. A former WEC fighter, Swanson has had a checkered record as of late, as well as suffering from multiple injuries. He did, however, defeat George Roop via TKO in his most recent bout at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis.

Fuel TV will be televising six cards before the main card begins. Here’s the run-down.

Ramsey Nijem vs. C.J. Keith

C.J. Keith, a California-based fighter with an 8-0 professional record, will be making his UFC debut when he faces Ultimate Fighter Season 13 semifinalist Ramsey Nijem. Nijem’s last bout was a unanimous decision victory over Danny Downes.

Hatsu Hikoi vs. Ricardo Lamas

Hatsu Hikoi raised eyebrows when he put on a clinic in his last fight versus Bart Palaszewski at UFC 144, which he won by unanimous decision after dominating each round. But BJJ brown belt RIcardo Lamas has also been on a tear, with a first round TKO victory over Matt Grice in his UFC featherweight debut, and following up that victory with a 2nd round arm triangle win (and “Submission of the Night” Honors) over Cub Swanson at UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Santos.

Steven Siler vs. Joey Gambino

Steven SIler was supposed to face submission whiz Jimmy Hettes, but when Hettes was forced to pull out due to an undisclosed injury, UFC newcomer Joey Gambino stepped in to take his place. Siler is coming off of back-to-back decision victories over Cole Miller and Josh Clopton. Gambino, who represents Tristar Gym, holds an 8-0 professional record.

Rick Story vs. Brock Jardine

Rick Story is coming off of back-to-back decision losses to Charlie Brenneman and Martin Kampmann. He was supposed to face heavy hitter Rich Attonito, and then was supposed to face Papy Abedi, but injuries keep happening and so he will be fighting well-rounded prospect Brock Jardine, a promotional newcomer.

Matt Brown vs. Luis Ramos

Matt Brown was supposed to face Matt Riddle, but Riddle pulled out due to an injury in a recurring theme for this fight card. Luis Ramos, a Nova Uniao fighter coming off a brutal :40 TKO loss to Erick Silva last August, will step in in his place.

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